LPNs are "unable to provide the level of nursing care needed due to their limited scope of practice," according to a hospital statement.

Mercy has been moving to employ people with higher levels of training to meet increased patient needs, according to the statement.

"The scope of care able to be provided by LPNs versus (registered nurses) is limited in an acute care hospital (like Mercy)," Barbara Yingling, Mercy's chief nursing officer, said in the statement. This is especially true today as inpatients are sicker and require a higher level of nursing care, she said.

LPNs still play a valuable role in health care, but most are now found in settings like nursing homes, outpatient facilities, home health and office settings, she said.

Affected employees will have priority preference for any open positions they qualify for at Mercy.

"Although these decisions are always difficult, they sometimes must be made. As we continue to respond to the changes in health care in light of national reform, our focus will be on aligning our clinical services to ensure use of best practices, and the highest standards of care, while conducting the services in the most efficient manner, " said President CEO Thomas E. Cecconi, in the statement.